“The first time I entered I didn’t know what to expect or how to approach it. The second time has given me more confidence and benefited me as a person.

“It’s made me put myself out there, which is not something I would normally do,” Taylor told those who attended the Central Plateau awards field day in March.

“Anyone who is considering entering should give it a go. There’s nothing negative about it. There’s nothing to lose and some great prizes to win. Also, you meet a lot of new people.”

Taylor, originally from Papamoa, moved to the Waikite Valley in 2011 where he lived on a deer breeding stud farm and attended Reporoa College until 2013.

When he left school Taylor worked full-time for sharemilkers Ross and Katrina Weren in Rerewhakaaitu milking 300 cows on 110 hectares.

In June 2015 he moved to a 2IC position for a contract milker in Reporoa milking 600 cows on 240ha and in October that year, became 2IC on Clearview Farms, working for Phil and Diane Herdman, milking 470 cows on 154ha. The system 3 farm is producing 200,000kg/ms per season and has one other full-time staff member.

Taylor’s goals including managing a 600-cow herd by the 2018-2019 season and to build a substantial equity base within the dairy industry.

He plans to buy into a small 50/50 sharemilking operation of up to 300 cows by 2022-2023 season and obtain a Level 5 qualification in business and production management.

Taylor’s off-farm interests include motocross and trail riding, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, spending time with his fiancé and “anything with wheels or an engine”.